Sightings

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Amy Ruegg was out looking for some of our earlier blooming native wildflowers. She struck gold! She found several Giant Trilliums, Trillium chloropetalum.

And Western Dog Violets, Viola adunca.

Amy found Golden-eyed Grass too, Sisyrinchium californicum.

In today's Independent Coast Observer you can see the beautiful Spotted Coralroot Orchid Amy found. Most wildflowers are quite small - Mother Nature's way of seeing if you are paying attention!

Thanks to Amy for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

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Misty Miller photographed a Red Admiral Butterfly in her garden recently.

After today's thunderstorms, we have three+ days of warm weather. We could see many more butterflies this weekend. We are looking for Painted Ladies, butterflies in the millions this year migrating north. Here's what they look like.

Ceanothus, wild lilac, has begun blooming this week, so I won't be surprised to receive photos of the distinctive Ceanothus Moth. Harm Wilkinson took the photo of the big moth. Bob Rutemoeller took the photo of Ceanothus in bloom.

Thanks to Misty, Harm and Bob for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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The very first Harbor Seal pup has been seen resting at Bowling Ball Beach. It is particularly important to leash your dogs and check any beach during pupping season.

Carol Cleland was one of the first to see the pup. She wrote, “I was enjoying a beautiful day on the beach when I saw this very young Harbor Seal pup tucked away napping."

"I figured the mama was out fishing and would come back for her little one. Then I wondered about who I should call to get info on what to do. I assumed I should leave it alone and move on down the beach, but I worried about its safety.”

Never try to “save” a pup. The correct thing to do if you think a pup is in distress is to call the Marine Mammal Center at 415) 289-SEAL  or 415) 289-7350. They have trained volunteers here who will assess the situation, and effect a rescue if needed. Here's a link to their website: http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/

Carol reported this pup was gone the next day, so we hope all is well and that the pup thrives.

The coming weeks are a great time to see new life on the Mendonoma coast. Rick and I have found twigs off our Japanese maple tree on the ground. We know what that means - birds, probably Steller's Jays, are already building their nests. Now is NOT the time to be pruning branches in trees and bushes.

Thanks to Carol for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

Heavy rain in the wee hours of the morning, with clouds mixed with sunshine this afternoon.

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Cathleen Crosby and her granddaughter, Tali, were traveling down Highway One when a waterfall was pushed backwards by the wind.

Enough water crossed Highway One that Cathleen needed to put on her windshield wipers, and it happened several times as she passed different waterfalls! Now this doesn't happen very often.

A another vigorous storm hit the coast early this morning. Two more inches of rain, so waterfalls will be pumped up again.

Thanks to Cathleen for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

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Irene Leidner is in charge of the volunteers who staff the Visitors Center Friday through  Monday. She needs more volunteers!

Irene encourages you to take a break from the news and enjoy welcoming visitors to this beautiful park.

For three hours a month you receive an annual pass! Unlimited access to one of the best parks around, 365 days a year! What a deal.

And the scenery is a side benefit. Call Irene at 707 884-9218 to sign up.

To learn more about Gualala Point Regional Park, here is the link: http://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/Visit/Gualala-Point-Regional-Park/